Worshippers take photographs of the Kaaba inside Mecca's Grand Mosque a day after Saudi authorities emptied Islam's holiest site for sterilisation over fears of the new coronavirus COVID-19. AFP
Worshippers take photographs of the Kaaba inside Mecca's Grand Mosque a day after Saudi authorities emptied Islam's holiest site for sterilisation over fears of the new coronavirus COVID-19. AFP
An almost empty Kaaba at the Grand Mosque is seen after Saudi authority suspended umrah amid the fear of coronavirus outbreak. Reuters
An almost empty Kaaba at the Grand Mosque is seen after Saudi authority suspended umrah amid the fear of coronavirus outbreak. Reuters
A view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, which is almost empty of worshippers. Reuters
A view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, which is almost empty of worshippers. Reuters
Kaaba at the Grand Mosque is almost empty of worshippers. Reuters
Kaaba at the Grand Mosque is almost empty of worshippers. Reuters
A view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, which is almost empty of worshippers. Reuters
A view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, which is almost empty of worshippers. Reuters
The Kaaba, inside Mecca's Grand Mosque, is shown to be empty of worshippers on Thursday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AFP
The Kaaba, inside Mecca's Grand Mosque, is shown to be empty of worshippers on Thursday in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AFP
Small groups of pilgrims walk around the Kaaba. AFP
Small groups of pilgrims walk around the Kaaba. AFP
Workers sterilize the ground in front of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo
Workers sterilize the ground in front of the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo
Municipal workers are seen in empty courtyard the Kaaba. AFP
Municipal workers are seen in empty courtyard the Kaaba. AFP
Few prayed around the Kaaba in Makkah on Thursday. AP Photo
Few prayed around the Kaaba in Makkah on Thursday. AP Photo
A pilgrim wears a mask as he visits the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AP Photo
A pilgrim wears a mask as he visits the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AP Photo
A Saudi policeman stands guard in front of the Kaaba. AP Photo
A Saudi policeman stands guard in front of the Kaaba. AP Photo
A pilgrim films pigeons outside the Grand Mosque. AP Photo
A pilgrim films pigeons outside the Grand Mosque. AP Photo
Indonesian pilgrims, who entered Mecca before visas were halted, wait their bus to leave home in Makkah. AP Photo
Indonesian pilgrims, who entered Mecca before visas were halted, wait their bus to leave home in Makkah. AP Photo
Far smaller crowds than usual of Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo
Far smaller crowds than usual of Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo
The white-tiled area surrounding the Kaaba is shown empty of worshippers. AFP
The white-tiled area surrounding the Kaaba is shown empty of worshippers. AFP

Coronavirus: A quiet day at Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque in Makkah

Authorities empty Islam's holiest site for disinfection against the coronavirus

The National

March 06, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia on Thursday emptied the Grand Mosque in Makkah to disinfect Islam's holiest site for precautions over the coronavirus.

The kingdom halted the pilgrimage for its own citizens and residents on Wednesday, on top of restrictions announced last week on foreign pilgrims to stop the disease from spreading.

State television relayed images of an empty white-tiled areas surrounding the Kaaba which is usually packed with tens of thousands of pilgrims.

A group of cleaners were seen scrubbing and mopping the tiles around the Kaaba.

The Grand Mosque in Makkah and Al Masjid Al Nabawy in Madinah reopened on Friday according to TV Al Ekhbariya.

Riyadh has reported five cases of the coronavirus.

On Women's Day
If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

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Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 2

Rashford 28', Martial 72'

Watford 1

Doucoure 90'

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

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